Topo Architects
Topo Architects
A house with a chimney on a sunny hillside surrounded by fields and trees.

House on a Hill, Northamptonshire, 2019

This is a project for a new build house on a spectacular rural site within Northamptonshire. The design is arranged around the natural contours of the landscape and nestled within an existing plateau cut into the hillside. The form of the house refers to the historic architecture of the surrounding village, however, it is manipulated and stretched to the edges of the site creating a contemporary, yet familiar appearance.

Internally rooms and the way in which people move between spaces are carefully choreographed to benefit from spectacular views across the hills to the south. Meanwhile more intimate spaces are located to the north to create distinctly different atmospheres throughout the house.

Thick masonry walls form the perimeter envelope and are finished with lime mortar mixed with crushed aggregate sourced locally to the site. The roof structure and all internal walls are Douglas fir timber, bringing warmth and richness to the interiors.

A room with a timber ceiling and a large rectangular window with views across a hillside.
An architectural floor plan, showing the ground floor of a new build house.
An architectural floor plan, showing the first floor of a new build house.
A house with a zinc roof, chimney and large sliding windows leading from a kitchen table.
A sunny view across a hillside with fields of grass and trees.
A double height living room with a fireplace, sofa and large windows with views to hills outside.

House on a Hill, Northamptonshire, 2019

A house with a zinc roof, chimney and large sliding windows leading from a kitchen table.
A room with a timber ceiling and a large rectangular window with views across a hillside.
A house with a chimney on a sunny hillside surrounded by fields and trees.
A double height living room with a fireplace, sofa and large windows with views to hills outside.
A sunny view across a hillside with fields of grass and trees.
An architectural floor plan, showing the ground floor of a new build house.
An architectural floor plan, showing the first floor of a new build house.
A double height room with timber rafters, painted concrete blockwork walls and square windows.

+  Project Information

This is a project for a new build house on a spectacular rural site within Northamptonshire. The design is arranged around the natural contours of the landscape and nestled within an existing plateau cut into the hillside. The form of the house refers to the historic architecture of the surrounding village, however, it is manipulated and stretched to the edges of the site creating a contemporary, yet familiar appearance.

Internally rooms and the way in which people move between spaces are carefully choreographed to benefit from spectacular views across the hills to the south. Meanwhile more intimate spaces are located to the north to create distinctly different atmospheres throughout the house.

Thick masonry walls form the perimeter envelope and are finished with lime mortar mixed with crushed aggregate sourced locally to the site. The roof structure and all internal walls are Douglas fir timber, bringing warmth and richness to the interiors.